Page 76 (1/2)

“Those are strong words” Bull considered hihtfully

“I’ve said them to his face”

Bull let the co if I stepped down and watered my horse?”

“You’re welcoraze for your horse You can caht if you like” Benteen extended the hospitality of the range Someday the situation could be reversed and he would be the one far from his home

“You can have supper with us, Mr Giles” Lorna broadened the invitation

“I’d like that Thank you, Mrs Calder” He tipped his hat to her, then rode his horse to the shade of the cottonwoods and dismounted

“He’s one of Boston’s et friendly with him or he’ll stab you in the back”

She thought he was being unfairly critical of Bull Giles and boldly returned his hard look “I don’t believe Mr Giles is anyone’sfor you to throw stones when you once worked for Judd Boston”

Benteen didn’t look pleased by the coainst it So he chose another subject to show his displeasure with her

“You change into a dress as soon as the wagons get here,” he ordered, and turned away to resu out the bunkhouse

When Barnie had seen her dressed this way, Benteen had only smiled, she remembered with an amused shake of her head Because it was Bull Giles, he was reacting jealously and trying todressed this way And ically Amusement deepened the corners of her mouth as she carried the ar

The wagons arrived in the middle of the afternoon in advance of the herd After Lorna had changed into a blue calico dress, she helped with the setting up of a perons for a couple s could be constructed

With Benteen around, she tried not to show any interest in Bull Giles, but the attempt only made her athered more wood for it in repayment of the hospitality His saddle and bedroll were set off to one side and his horse was hobbled and turned loose to graze

When the herd caht, Benteen rode out to horns downriver Lorna supposed that he considered she was adequately chaperoned with Mary, Rusty, and Woolie in camp She liked Bull Giles—as a friend—and wished Benteen could understand that

She noticed the water barrel was low and unhooked the wooden pail froon “Mary,” she called to her friend “I’et so so when she left camp